The Innocence Project in Print - Winter 2010

8/8/2019 The Innocence Project in Print - Winter 2010

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THE INNOCENCE PROJECT IN PRIN

Miguel Roman 4/02/09

Victor Burnette 4/03/09

Timothy Cole 4/09/09

Johnnie Lindsey 4/24/09

Chaunte Ott 6/05/09

Lawrence McKinney 7/17/09

Robert Lee Stinson 7/27/09

Kenneth Ireland 8/19/09

Joseph Abbitt 9/02/09

James Lee Woodard 9/30/09

Jerry Lee Evans 10/21/09

Michael Marshall 12/14/09James Bain 12/17/09

Donald Eugene Gates 12/18/09

Freddie Peacock 2/04/10

Ted Bradford 2/11/10

Curtis Jasper Moore 3/24/10

Anthony Caravella 3/25/10Frank Sterling 4/28/10

Raymond Towler 5/05/10

Douglas Pacyon 6/21/10

Larry Davis 7/14/10

Alan Northrop 7/14/10

Anthony Johnson 9/15/10

Maurice Patterson 10/8/10

Michael Anthony Green 10/20/10

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2 WINBENJAMIN N. CARDOZO SCHOOL OF LAW, YESHIVA UNIVERSITY


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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michelle Adams

Laura Arnold

Gordon DuGan

Senator Rodney EllisBoard Chair

Jason Flom

John Grisham

Calvin C. Johnson, Jr.

Dr. Eric S. Lander

Hon. Janet RenoDirector Emeritus

Rossana Rosado

Matthew Rothman

Stephen SchulteBoard Vice Chair

Bonnie Steingart

Chief Darrel Stephens

Jack TaylorBoard Treasurer

FEATURES

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART................................................................... 4

TRAGEDY IN TEXAS ................................................................................... 7

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

A CONVERSATION BETWEEN HILARY SWANK

AND BETTY ANNE WATERS .......................................................... 12

DEPARTMENTS

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR .............................................. 3

EXONERATION NATION .......................................................................... 14

INNOCENCE PROJECT NEWS .................................................................. 16

INNOCENCE BY THE NUMBERS:

PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT................................................... 18

IN THIS ISSUE

15

12

PHOTO CREDITS: COVER, The Journal News; PAGE 3, www.heatherconley.com; PAGE 7, Ron Heflin/The Dallas Morning News; PASmith/CNN; PAGE 14 TOP, Derek Gee/The Buffalo News; PAGE 15 SECOND TO BOTTOM, Center on Wrongful Convictions/Jennife

BOTTOM, Eric Kayne.

ON THE COVER: EXONEREE FERNANDO BERMUDEZ SPEAKS TO AN ASSEMBLY OF STUDENTS AT ARDSLEY HIGH SCHOOL

IN ARDSLEY, NEW YORK.

THE NAMES THAT FOLLOW BELOW ARE THOSE OF THE 261 WRONGFULLY CONVICTED PEOPLE WHOM DNAHELPED EXONERATE, FOLLOWED BY THE YEARS OF THEIR CONVICTION AND EXONERATION.

GARY DOTSON 1979 TO 1989 DAVID VASQUEZ 1985 TO 1989 EDWARD GREEN 1990 TO 1990 BRUCE NELSON 1982 TO 1991 CHARLES DABBS 1984 TO 1991 GLEN WOODALL 1987 TO 1992 JOE JONE1992 STEVEN LINSCOTT 1982 TO 1992 LEONARD CALLACE 1987 TO 1992 KERRY KOTLER 1982 TO 1992 WALTER SNYDER 1986 TO 1993 KIRK BLOODSWORTH 1985 TO 1993 DWAYNE SCRUGGS 1986MARK D. BRAVO 1990 TO 1994 DALE BRISON 1990 TO 1994 GILBERT ALEJANDRO 1990 TO 1994 FREDERICK DAYE 1984 TO 1994 EDWARD HONAKER 1985 TO 1994 BRIAN PISZCZEK 1991 TO 1994


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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Maddy deLone

Executive Director

A FAMILY OF ADVOCATESWith the recent premiere of Conviction, a major motion picture that tells the story of

a wrongful conviction, hundreds of thousands of new audiences have been introducedto the flaws in the criminal justice system. But the real heart of the story is the bond

between the wrongfully convicted brother and his sister who puts herself through law

school to help prove his innocence. Its a beautiful movie and an inspiring true story

about Betty Anne Waters, sister of Innocence Project client Kenny Waters, who was

exonerated through DNA testing. (See In Their Own Words, page 12, for a Q and A

with Betty Anne Waters and Hilary Swank, the actor who portrays her in the film.)

While Betty Annes determination and perseverance to help Kenny was extraordinary,

family members play a vital role in both the exoneration and reintegration of many of

our clients. They are among our greatest allies, often becoming formidable advocates

for criminal justice reform. Their work ranges from local grassroots efforts to national

legal and political battles. This issue of Innocence Project in Print highlights their

contributions to all areas of our work.

See Speaking from the Heart, page 4, to read about our Exoneree Speakers Bureau,

which includes not only exonerees, but also family members of the exonerated. Exoneree

speakers and their families bring the message of reform to schools, churches, civic groups

and more often in the very communities where the wrongful conviction occurred.

The fight to prove a loved ones innocence can also take family members advocacy

to the state and national level. As youll read in Tragedy in Texas on page 7, the case

of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2005, has made national headlines.

Willingham was sentenced to death for the arson murder of his three daughters based

on erroneous, outdated science. Tragically, Willinghams family lost both the three

little children and their father; now they have partnered with us in a new effort to

clear his name.

As family members of the exonerated know, a wrongful conviction can happen to

anyone even a cherished son, beloved mother, or favorite brother. Likewise, anyone

can help improve the system and prevent injustice. Thanks to the good exposure

weve received through Conviction, people are becoming aware of the problem

of wrongful convictions more than ever before. And as the word spreads, our family

of advocates grows.

BULLOCK 1984 TO 1994 DAVID SHEPHARD 1984 TO 1995 TERRY CHALMERS 1987 TO 1995 RONALD COTTON 1985, 1987 TO 1995 ROLANDO CRUZ 1985 TO 1995 ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ 1985 TO 1WILLIAM O. HARRIS 1987 TO 1995 DEWEY DAVIS 1987 TO 1995 GERALD DAVIS 1986 TO 1995 WALTER D. SMITH 1986 TO 1996 VINCENT MOTO 1987 TO 1996 STEVEN TONEY 1983 TO 1996 RICHARD JOH1992 TO 1996 THOMAS WEBB 1983 TO 1996 KEVIN GREEN 1980 TO 1996 VERNEAL JIMERSON 1985 TO 1996 KENNETH ADAMS 1978 TO 1996 WILLIE RAINGE 1978, 1987 TO 1996 DENNIS WILLIAMS


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4

1987 TO 1996 FREDRIC SAECKER 1990 TO 1996 VICTOR ORTIZ 1984 TO 1996 TROY WEBB 1989 TO 1996 TIMOTHY DURHAM 1993 TO 1997 ANTHONY HICKS 1991 TO 1997 KEITH BROWN 1993MARVIN MITCHELL 1990 TO 1997 CHESTER BAUER 1983 TO 1997 DONALD REYNOLDS 1988 TO 1997 BILLY WARDELL 1988 TO 1997 BEN SALAZAR 1992 TO 1997 KEVIN BYRD 1985 TO 1997 ROB1988 TO 1998 PERRY MITCHELL 1984 TO 1998 RONNIE MAHAN 1986 TO 1998 DALE MAHAN 1986 TO 1998 DAVID A. GRAY 1978 TO 1999 HABIB W. ABDAL 1983 TO 1999 ANTHONY GRAY 1991

The Exoneree Speakers Bureau educates the public about wrongfconvictions from those who know most about the experience the exonerated.

You know how hard it is when youre in prison to get somebody to listen to you?

Barry Gibbs. Hes speaking to a group of about 50 eighth graders from the Math a

Science Exploratory School in Brooklyn, New York, who have gathered to hear him

tell about his 19 years of wrongful imprisonment for murder. Since his exoneratio

in 2005, Gibbs has spoken to many different groups about his case lawyers, stude

doctors, even mystery writers and thousands of people have heard his story. Dur

his imprisonment, Gibbs could only dream of such audiences. Now that he has cle

his name and been exonerated, he lends his voice to the effort to raise awareness

the problem of wrongful convictions.

Among this group of eighth graders, there is a notable absence of whispering, not

passing, gum chewing and other antics. When Gibbs finishes speaking, a dozen ha

SPEAKING FROMTHE HEART

EXONEREE DENNIS MAHER (RIGHT), SPEAKS AT THE ART

OF INNOCENCE EVENT IN UTICA, NEW YORK, WITH MARC

SIMON, AUTHOR AND PRODUCER OF AFTER INNOCENCE,

A DOCUMENTARY THAT FEATURED MAHERS STORY.


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SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

JOHN WILLIS 1993 TO 1999 RON WILLIAMSON 1988 TO 1999 DENNIS FRITZ 1988 TO 1999 CALVIN JOHNSON 1983 TO 1999 JAMES RICHARDSON 1989 TO 1999 RONALD JONES 1989 TO 1999 CLYDE C1982 TO 1999 MCKINLEY CROMEDY 1994 TO 1999 LARRY HOLDREN 1984 TO 2000 LARRY YOUNGBLOOD 1985 TO 2000 WILLIE NESMITH 1982 TO 2000 JAMES ODONNELL 1998 TO 2000 FRANK L. SMITTO 2000 HERMAN ATKINS 1988 TO 2000 NEIL MILLER 1990 TO 2000 A.B. BUTLER 1983 TO 2000 ARMAND VILLASANA 1999 TO 2000 WILLIAM GREGORY 1993 TO 2000 ERIC SARSFIELD 1987 TO 2000

shoot up: Whats prison food like? Did you have any friends in jail? What do you do

now? Prison food is terrible, he says. He did have friends in jail, and some were even

innocent. Now, he takes life one day at a time and enjoys his freedom. As the students

file out of the classroom at the end of the period, he leaves them with a simple

message: You can make a difference.

A few days later, in Portland, Maine, exoneree Dennis Maher fields a very different

set of questions from a group of attorneys and judges at the Red Mass, an annual

celebration of the Catholic Church to bless the states judiciary system: How did you

cope with incarceration when you were innocent? What kind of representation did

you have? How did you react to the news that you would be exonerated? Maher, who

began speaking publicly only six weeks after his exoneration in 2003, appreciated the

opportunity to reach this special audience. He reports, There were Supreme Court

justices from Maine, federal senators, superior court justices, lawyers, six priests, a

bishop and two monsignors. Maher adds, A few people cried. I get emotional too.

Im not the monotone type.

Eric Wycoff, the attorney who organized the event, agreed. There were a lot of weteyes. Really very moving that was the universal reaction I heard from folks. This is

the first time weve ever had a client speak to us. Weve had judges, lawyers, a diplomat,

but this is the first time that weve ever had someone come that was on the other side

of the attorney-client relationship and that was very positive.

These two recent speaking engagements exemplify the important work that exoneree

speakers are doing all over the country, from the East Coast, to the Midwest, to Texas

and the South. A diverse array of audiences are interested in hearing their testimonials

legal and law enforcement organizations, high schools, law schools, religious groups

and civic groups and theyre inviting exoneree speakers back year after year.

Former Oneida County Bar Association President Larry Golden has hosted sixsuccessful events featuring exoneree speakers. After each event we had a reception

where audience members had an opportunity to rub elbows with the exoneree and

just make conversation. Its meeting the exonerees face to face that makes it real for

the audience. I dont think you ever forget the experience of hearing an exoneree

tell their story.

Although many audience members will already know about the Innocence Project, and

some will even know that over 250 people have been exonerated through DNA testing,

very few will have ever heard the testimony of an actual exonerated person. Its the

closest one can ever come to imagining the unimaginable being wrongfully accused

and convicted.

The relationship is rewarding for both parties the public who seek a fuller

understanding of the issue, and the exonerees who are driven to share their experiences

of injustice.

EXONEREE ALAN NEWTON SPEAKS TO PROFESSIONALS

D.E. SHAW GROUP, A GLOBAL INVESTMENT AND TECHN

DEVELOPMENT FIRM.


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6 THE INNOCENCE PROJECT IN PRINT

WATKINS 1986 TO 2000 ROY CRINER 1990 TO 2000 ANTHONY ROBINSON 1987 TO 2000 CARLOS LAVERNIA 1985 TO 2000 EARL WASHINGTON 1984 TO 2000 LESLY JEAN 1982 TO 2001 DAVID S. TO 2001 KENNETH WATERS 1983 TO 2001 DANNY BROWN 1982 TO 2001 JEFFREY PIERCE 1986 TO 2001 JERRY F. TOWNSEND 1980 TO 2001 CALVIN WASHINGTON 1987 TO 2001 EDUARDO VELASTO 2001 CHARLES I. FAIN 1983 TO 2001 ANTHONY M. GREEN 1988 TO 2001 JOHN DIXON 1991 TO 2001 CALVIN OLLINS 1988 TO 2001 LARRY OLLINS 1988 TO 2001 MARCELLIUS BRADFORD 1988 T

Fernando Bermudez, who was exonerated in 2009, gained public speaking experi

while he was still in prison as the master of ceremonies for prison events. After ove

18 years of wrongful incarceration, he knew that he would continue to pursue pub

speaking after his release. I feel its a calling, he says. Im promoting social awar

of the criminal justice system, but Im also speaking to the human experience. My

is about believing that you can overcome any obstacle. I want the audience to com

away with that. I want us to learn from each other.

The Innocence Project works to connect members of the Exoneree Speakers Bur

to audiences nationwide. Not all of the speakers are exonerees, some are family

members and loved ones. Sylvia Bouchard, mother of exoneree Steven Barnes, oft

accompanies her son to events in addition to speaking to groups on her own. Ste

always says that when he was incarcerated the whole family was incarcerated, and t

was true. We went through the motions; we never really enjoyed anything for 20 y

I think its so important to get our story out that this could happen to anyone. Ste

came from a loving home he was a football player and an altar boy.

Whether the audience consists of 14-year-old future jurors or superior court justic

with a lifelong commitment to the criminal justice system, anyone can benefit from

hearing the firsthand account of a wrongful conviction. Sometimes, an Innocence

Project staff member is available to speak as well. To learn more about the bureau

request a speaker, see the Exoneree Speakers Bureau page under the About tab

our website, www.innocenceproject.org, or call the Innocence Project at 212-364-59

EXONEREE DEWEY BOZELLA MEETS STUDENTS FROM

QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NEW YORK CITY

AFTER HIS TALK AT THE SCHOOL.


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OMAR SAUNDERS 1988 TO 2001 LARRY MAYES 1982 TO 2001 RICHARD ALEXANDER 1998 TO 2001 MARK WEBB 1987 TO 2001 LEONARD MCSHERRY 1988 TO 2001 ULYSSES R. CHARLES 1984 TO 2001 GODSCHALK 1987 TO 2002 RAY KRONE 1992 TO 2002 HECTOR GONZALEZ 1996 TO 2002 ALEJANDRO DOMINGUEZ 1990 TO 2002 CLARK MCMILLAN 1980 TO 2002 LARRY JOHNSON 1984 TO 2002 CHRISTOCHOA 1989 TO 2002 VICTOR L. THOMAS 1986 TO 2002 MARVIN ANDERSON 1982 TO 2002 EDDIE J. LLOYD 1985 TO 2002 JIMMY R. BROMGARD 1987 TO 2002 ALBERT JOHNSON 1992 TO 2002 SAMUEL S

For Cameron Todd Willingham, the end came on February 17, 2004.For the family and loved ones who believe in his innocence, for thescientists who challenge the forensic evidence used against him andfor the Innocence Project who fights for stronger forensic oversight,the case is far from closed.

Over six years ago, Willingham was executed by the state of Texas for allegedly setting

a fire that killed his three daughters. Yet four separate independent investigations

including one commissioned by the Innocence Project have reported that the arson

evidence used to convict him was unfounded and unscientific. After years of delays,

political interventions and other attempts to conceal the truth, Texas may finally be

poised to admit that it wrongfully executed Willingham. The case has brought national

attention to the need for improvement and oversight of the forensic sciences.

TRAGEDY

IN TEXAS

JOHN BRADLEY, CHAIR OF THE TEXAS FORENSIC SCIEN

COMMISSION, FACES ACCUSATIONS THAT HE HAS ATT

TO WHITEWASH THE INVESTIGATION OF CAMERON TOD

WILLINGHAMS CASE.


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1987 TO 2002 DOUGLAS ECHOLS 1987 TO 2002 BERNARD WEBSTER 1983 TO 2002 DAVID B. SUTHERLIN 1985 TO 2002 ARVIN MCGEE 1989 TO 2002 ANTRON MCCRAY 1990 TO 2002 KEVIN RICHARDTO 2002 YUSEF SALAAM 1990 TO 2002 RAYMOND SANTANA 1990 TO 2002 KOREY WISE 1990 TO 2002 PAULA GRAY 1978 TO 2002 RICHARD DANZIGER 1990 TO 2002 JULIUS RUFFIN 1982 TO 20BIBBINS 1987 TO 2003 EDDIE J. LOWERY 1982 TO 2003 DENNIS MAHER 1984 TO 2003 MICHAEL MERCER 1992 TO 2003 PAUL D. KORDONOWY 1990 TO 2003 DANA HOLLAND 1995 TO 2003 KENNETH

A POSSIBLE POSTHUMOUS EXONERATIONHoping to resolve a case that has haunted a family a

a state for years, the Innocence Project seeks to clea

Willinghams name through a Court of Inquiry

rare legal proceeding available in Texas meant to rethe reputation of an injured party. If a Court of Inq

is called, the presiding judge would have the author

to declare that Willingham should never have been

convicted. He would not be the first Texan to be

posthumously exonerated, but he would be the firs

had been executed. Tim Cole, who died in prison 1

years before his exoneration through DNA testing,

also cleared through a Court of Inquiry.

At a hearing in October to determine whether to co

a Court of Inquiry, renowned fire experts John Len

and Gerald Hurst testified about the flawed scienceLentini told presiding Judge Charlie Baird that the

science used to determine arson in the Willingham

was considered outdated when Willingham was conv

and was obsolete by the time of his execution. A lo

people believed that back in 1991, Lentini said. N

in 2004, nobody believed that. Former Attorney Ge

Mark White, who is also a former Texas governor, represents the Willingham famil

the Innocence Project and the Texas law firm of Goldstein, Goldstein and Hilley.

The District Attorney of Navarro County, where Willingham was convicted, and th

fire investigators involved in the original trial declined to testify at the proceeding

Instead, the District Attorney asked the Third Court of Appeals to stop the procee

The court issued a stay barring Judge Baird from issuing a decision while it consid

whether or not the proceeding can go forward.

Meanwhile, the Innocence Project continues to press the Texas Forensic Science

Commission to determine whether forensic negligence or misconduct contributed

to Willinghams conviction and whether the State Fire Marshalls Office has been

negligent in not reviewing the states many other arson convictions that may have

been tainted by faulty forensics. The commissions investigation, which has suffere

from repeated delays since it began in 2008, is finally back on track and set to hea

from experts on the case in January.

FORENSICS UNDER FIRECameron Todd Willingham might have been exonerated in 2004 if not for

happenstance. Another Texan, Ernest Willis, was also sentenced to death for arson

HERE I AM THIS PERSON WHO

NOBODY ON THE OUTSIDE IS EVER

GOING TO KNOW AS A HUMAN,

WHO HAS LOST SO MUCH, BUT

STILL TRYING TO HOLD ON

Cameron Todd Willingham quoted from a

letter to pen pal Elizabeth Gilbert by The

New Yorker, Sept. 7, 2009.


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TRAGEDY IN TEXAS

1994 TO 2003 MICHAEL EVANS 1977 TO 2003 PAUL TERRY 1977 TO 2003 LONNIE ERBY 1986 TO 2003 STEVEN AVERY 1985 TO 2003 CALVIN WILLIS 1982 TO 2003 NICHOLAS YARRIS 1982 TO 2003 L. SCOTT 1983 TO 2003 WILEY FOUNTAIN 1986 TO 2003 LEO WATERS 1982 TO 2003 STEPHAN COWANS 1998 TO 2004 ANTHONY POWELL 1992 TO 2004 JOSIAH SUTTON 1999 TO 2004 LAFONSO ROLLINTO 2004 RYAN MATTHEWS 1999 TO 2004 WILTON DEDGE 1982, 1984 TO 2004 ARTHUR L. WHITFIELD 1982 TO 2004 BARRY LAUGHMAN 1988 TO 2004 CLARENCE HARRISON 1987 TO 2004 DAVID A.

based on nearly identical forensic evidence. Willis was exonerated (and ultimately

compensated by the state) after forensic expert Gerald Hurst exposed the flaws in

the forensics in his case. In the days leading up to Willinghams execution, Hurst also

reviewed the forensics in Willinghams case and determined that nothing about the

evidence indicated arson any more than an accidental fire. The Texas Board of Pardons

and Paroles and Gov. Perry received the report days before the execution but appear tohave done nothing with the information.

Two other investigations followed, one by the Chicago Tribune and one commissioned

by the Innocence Project. Both concurred with Hursts report. The five arson experts

of the Innocence Project Arson Review Committee studied video footage of the fire

damage, analyzed the trial testimony of the fire investigators and addressed each so-

called arson indicator one by one. Indicators included evidence like pour patterns

and crazed glass. They wrote: Each and every one of the indicators relied upon

have since been scientifically proven to be invalid.

The forensic evidence had already been disproven when the Innocence Project

submitted the case to the Texas Forensic Science Commission in 2006. The InnocenceProject asked the commission to investigate both Willinghams and Willis cases and to

determine how one man could be executed and the other exonerated based on the

same forensics. The commission, made up of prosecutors, defense attorneys, forensic

scientists and legal analysts, has the unique ability to help ensure that the kind of

outdated forensic analysis that led to Willinghams wrongful conviction will no longer

OPPOSITE PAGE: CAMERON TODD WILINGHAM ON THE

WAS EXECUTED.

LEFT: EUGENIA WILLINGHAM, STEPMOTHER OF CAMER

TODD, WITH PHOTOS OF HER LOST GRANDCHILDREN A

STEPSON WHO WAS EXECUTED.

THIS IS WHAT HE WANTED U

TO DO. HE WANTED US TO

STAND UP FOR HIM.

Eugenia Willingham as quoted in t

New York Times, October 14, 2010


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1995 TO 2004 BRUCE D. GOODMAN 1986 TO 2004 DONALD W. GOOD 1984 TO 2004 DARRYL HUNT 1985 TO 2004 BRANDON MOON 1988 TO 2005 DONTE BOOKER 1987 TO 2005 DENNIS BROWN2005 PETER ROSE 1996 TO 2005 MICHAEL A. WILLIAMS 1981 TO 2005 HAROLD BUNTIN 1986 TO 2005 ANTHONY WOODS 1984 TO 2005 THOMAS DOSWELL 1986 TO 2005 LUIS DIAZ 1980 TO 2005 RODRIGUEZ 1987 TO 2005 ROBERT CLARK 1982 TO 2005 PHILLIP L. THURMAN 1985 TO 2005 WILLIE DAVIDSON 1981 TO 2005 CLARENCE ELKINS 1999 TO 2005 JOHN KOGUT 1986 TO 2005 ENTRE

be accepted in courts and that other arson convictions in the state will be reviewed

When the commission accepted the case, advocates and scientists nationwide hop

that it would lead to stronger forensic standards and practices as well as more

accountability in cases where outdated forensic evidence is used. They are still wai

A HASTY COVER-UPCraig Beyler, prominent fire scientist and chairman of the International Associatio

Fire Safety Science, was hired by the commission to conduct the Willingham and

investigation. Beyler released his report in August 2009 and was scheduled to pres

to the commission in early October. Echoing the findings of the other arson expe

he wrote that the fire marshal who investigated the case seems to be wholly witho

any realistic understanding of fires and that the determination of arson lacked

rational reasoning.

Two days before the scheduled presentation, Gov. Perry hastily replaced three

members of the commission, including the chair. The new chair, Williamson Coun

District Attorney John Bradley, an ally of the governors, immediately cancelled

the meeting and Dr. Beylers presentation. Since then, Bradley has steered the

commission dangerously off-course, conducting meetings behind closed doors an

making inflammatory statements about Willingham. In a statement that belied the

commissioners objectivity, Bradley told the Associated Press: Willingham is a guil

monster.

Bradley created a four-member subcommittee, the Willingham Investigation Pan

to review the case. After months of delays, the commission finally met last summer

discuss the Investigation Panels recommendations for the case. Innocence Projec

Director Barry Scheck and Policy Director Stephen Saloom attended the meeting

members of the Willingham family.

FEBRUARY 13, 2004

DR. GERALD HURST

ISSUES A REPORT TO

GOV. RICK PERRY AND

THE TEXAS BOARD

OF PARDONS AND

PAROLES CITING FAULTY

FORENSIC ANALYSISIN THE CASE.

FEBRUARY 17, 2004

WILLINGHAM IS

EXECUTED.

MAY 2005

TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE

PASSES A BILL CREATING

THE TEXAS FORENSIC

SCIENCE COMMISSION,

AND GOV. PERRY

SIGNS IT INTO LAW.

MAY 2006

THE INNOCENCE

PROJECT SENDS THE

COMMISSION A

FORMAL REQUEST TO

INVESTIGATE THE CASES

OF CAMERON TODD

WILLINGHAM ANDERNEST WILLIS.

OCTOBER 2006

THE COMMISSION HOLDS

ITS FIRST MEETING.

AUGU

THE CO

ANNOUN

HAS AC

INNOCEN

COMP

WILL L

INVESTIGTHE W

C

OCTOBER 1992

CAMERON TODD

WILLINGHAM IS

SENTENCED TO DEATH

FOR THE ARSON

MURDER OF HIS THREE

YOUNG CHILDREN.

DECEMBER 23, 1991

A HOUSE FIRE IN

CORSICANA, TEXAS,

RESULTS IN THE DEATH

OF AMBER, KARMON

AND KAMERON

WILLINGHAM.

MY AGENDA IS THAT THE

GOVERNOR SHOULD KEEP HIS

HANDS OFF SCIENTIFIC

INVESTIGATIONS.

Craig Beyler as quoted in the Dallas

Morning News, October 16, 2009.

TIME FOR THE TRUTH: A TIMELI


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TRAGEDY IN TEXAS

1997 TO 2005 KEITH E. TURNER 1983 TO 2005 DENNIS HALSTEAD 1987 TO 2005 JOHN RESTIVO 1987 TO 2005 ALAN CROTZER 1981 TO 2006 ARTHUR MUMPHREY 1986 TO 2006 DREW WHITLEY 1989 TO DOUGLAS WARNEY 1997 TO 2006 ORLANDO BOQUETE 1983 TO 2006 WILLIE JACKSON 1989 TO 2006 LARRY PETERSON 1989 TO 2006 ALAN NEWTON 1985 TO 2006 JAMES TILLMAN 1989 TO 2006 JBRISCOE 1983 TO 2006 SCOTT FAPPIANO 1985 TO 2006 ALLEN COCO 1997 TO 2006 JAMES OCHOA 2005 TO 2006 JEFFREY DESKOVIC 1990 TO 2006 MARLON PENDLETON 1996 TO 2006 BILLY J. SMITH

DECEMBER 2008

FIRE EXPERT CRAIG

BEYLER IS HIRED TO

INVESTIGATE.

AUGUST 2009

BEYLER COMPLETES HIS

REPORT, FINDING THAT

INVESTIGATORS IN THE

WILLINGHAM CASE HAD

NO SCIENTIFIC BASIS

FOR CONCLUDING THAT

THE FIRE WASINTENTIONALLY SET.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

GOV. PERRY ABRUPTLY

REMOVES THREE

MEMBERS OF THE

COMMISSION AND

APPOINTS JOHN

BRADLEY AS THE NEW

CHAIR. BRADLEYIMMEDIATELY SHUTS

DOWN THE UPCOMING

WILLINGHAM MEETING.

APRIL 2010

AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY,

THE COMMISSION

ANNOUNCES THAT THE

WILLINGHAM CASE IS

BACK ON THE AGENDA.

JULY 2010

AS CHAIRMAN OF THE

INVESTIGATION PANEL

REVIEWING THE

WILLINGHAM CASE,

BRADLEY ISSUES A DRAFT

REPORT, CLEARING FIRE

INVESTIGATORS OF ANYNEGLIGENCE OR

MISCONDUCT.

SEPTEMBER 2010

COMMISSION MEMBERS

VETO THE DRAFT REPORT

AND VOTE TO CONTINUE

THE INVESTIGATION INTO

NEGLIGENCE OR

MISCONDUCT OF THE

FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE.

JANUARY 7, 20

BEYLER AND OTHE

SET TO DISCUSS

THE WILLINGHAM C

AT A COMMISSIO

MEETING.

AMERON TODD WILLINGHAM INVESTIGATION.

In an apparent attempt to sweep the case under the rug, Bradley issued a draft report

clearing fire investigators of any negligence or misconduct. However, the commission

voted to reject the draft and continue its investigation. At issue are the more than

600 people incarcerated in Texas whose arson convictions may have been based on

invalid science. The commission plans to renew discussion of the Willingham case on

January 7, when it will finally hear from Beyler. The Innocence Project will attend. Aswith all other recent Texas Forensic Science Commission meetings on the Willingham

case, the January meeting will be simulcast and available for viewing live on the

Innocence Project website, www.innocenceproject.org.

WILLINGHAMS LEGACYOnce again, the commission has the opportunity to live up to its legislative intent and

become a model for other independent science-based entities both at the state and

national level. One of the Innocence Projects chief objectives is to facilitate the creation

of a federal forensic science entity. A federal entity, as recommended by the National

Academy of Sciences, could help ensure that forensic science practitioners (including

fire investigators) are guided by science in their investigations, have the training and the

resources they need, and that forensic standards are raised. Working together, state and

federal agencies can bring scientific integrity to the forensic sciences.

Opponents of the Willingham investigation reduce the case to a pro and anti-death

penalty argument. But Willinghams legacy has just as many implications for non-capital

cases. For the more than 5,000 men and women currently incarcerated for arson

crimes nationwide, there is still time to learn from this mistake. Through over

250 DNA exonerations, the Innocence Project has demonstrated that proving one

persons innocence can lead to changes in the system that affect hundreds of lives. For

Willingham, who seems to have been wrongfully executed in addition to being wrongfully

convicted, the change that comes from his exoneration must be especially profound.


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12

TO 2006 BILLY W. MILLER 1984 TO 2006 EUGENE HENTON 1984 TO 2006 GREGORY WALLIS 1989 TO 2007 LARRY FULLER 1981 TO 2007 TRAVIS HAYES 1998 TO 2007 WILLIE O. WILLIAMS 1985 TO 2BROWN 1992 TO 2007 CODY DAVIS 2006 TO 2007 JAMES WALLER 1983 TO 2007 ANDREW GOSSETT 2000 TO 2007 ANTONIO BEAVER 1997 TO 2007 ANTHONY CAPOZZI 1987 TO 2007 JERRY MILL2007 CURTIS MCCARTY 1986, 1989 TO 2007 JAMES C. GILES 1983 TO 2007 BYRON HALSEY 1988 TO 2007 DWAYNE A. DAIL 1989 TO 2007 LARRY BOSTIC 1989 TO 2007 MARCUS LYONS 1988 TO 20

Twelve years ago, the Innocence Project received a letter from Betty Anne Waters

new lawyer looking for help on her brothers case. She wrote: The day that my br

was unjustly convicted of this crime has changed not only his life, but mine. Wate

extraordinary efforts to free her brother led not only to his exoneration through

DNA testing in 2001, but also to a major feature film that has introduced hundred

of thousands of people worldwide to the problem of wrongful convictions. A Fox

Searchlight film released in October 2010, Conviction was directed by Tony Gol

and stars Hilary Swank as Betty Anne, a mother who put herself through law schoo

prove her brothers innocence. Here, the real-life inspiration for the film and the

that portrayed her, sit down to discuss the role, the movie, and the reality of wron

convictions.

Betty Anne Waters:When I heard it was going to be you playing the part, I waso glad. Just seeing your work as an actress in other films I knew that you would bethe best and the closest to my character.

Hilary Swank: It makes me so happy that you saw me in the role of playing youAfter reading the script, I was immediately floored by your tenacity, drive, and

determination and deeply touched by the love story and great lengths you would

go to help your brother.

BAW:When did you decide to accept the role?

HS: I was hooked when I read the script, but after sitting with Tony and hearing vision for how he was going to make it come to life yet again was the icing on the

BAW: I think a lot of people are just like me before my brother was wrongfullyconvicted they think that everyone in prison is guilty. Did your perceptions of th

criminal justice system change after playing this role?

IN THEIROWN WORDA CONVERSATION BETWEEN HILARY SWANK ANDBETTY ANNE WATERS

BETTY ANNE WATERS (LEFT) WITH HILARY SWANK, THE

ACTOR WHO PORTRAYED HER IN THE FILM CONVICTION AT

AN INNOCENCE PROJECT BENEFIT IN NEW YORK.


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IN THEIR OWN WORDS

HEINS 1996 TO 2007 JOHN J. WHITE 1980 TO 2007 R ICKEY JOHNSON 1983 TO 2008 RONALD G. TAYLOR 1995 TO 2008 KENNEDY BREWER 1995 TO 2008 CHARLES CHATMAN 1981 TO 2008 NATHANIEL HA1998 TO 2008 DEAN CAGE 1996 TO 2008 THOMAS MCGOWAN 1985, 1986 TO 2008 ROBERT MCCLENDON 1991 TO 2008 MICHAEL BLAIR 1994 TO 2008 PATRICK WALLER 1992 TO 2008 STEVEN PHILLIPS 1983 TO 2008 ARTHUR JOHNSON 1993 TO 2008 JOSEPH WHITE 1989 TO 2008 WILLIAM DILLON 1981 TO 2008 STEVEN BARNES 1989 TO 2009 RICARDO RACHELL 2003 TO 2009 JAMES DEAN 1990 TO 2

HS:Absolutely. The great thing about being an actor is that we get the opportunity tosee life through different eyes. Its devastating to think of countless others who could be

wrongly convicted and sitting in prison now and no doubt being judged by our society.

BAW: I wasnt sure I wanted to be on the set at first or if everyone would becomfortable with it. Was it challenging for you to portray someone who is sitting right

there watching?

HS:At first I thought it might be, but not after getting to know you and seeing thattheres not a judgmental bone in your body. You were collaborating in such an open

and articulate way, and it quickly made me realize that having you on set helped us

tell the story.

BAW: There were scenes when you were visiting my brothers character in prison,when you really captured the frustration of trying to help someone but also keep them

calm. It was very difficult because Kenny was suicidal at times, and I had to keep him

full of hope and not too sad. Watching you, I remembered those feelings. How did you

prepare for those scenes?

HS: Honestly Betty Anne, I just connected to your heart and the love that you andKenny had for one another. It was heartbreaking to not be able to disconnect by

saying, This is only fiction, it didn't happen. There was no way to not carry the

injustice of what happened to your brother home every night.

BAW: Remember that scene in the movie when Kenny gets released? I watched youdo that scene over and over again on set, and it was hard to watch. You reminded me

of myself, totally. I remembered that day vividly after watching you. And then when

I saw you later, you were crying, and it made me cry. What was it like for you to do

that scene?

HS: I was just thinking about all the time, effort and heart that you put into helpingeveryone else see what you always believed. To think that after all those years, the

moment the judge says youre free to go, and it was just you, Barry Scheck, the

other counsel and your brother in the room it seemed so subdued for such a big,

momentous event. I just felt your great love so profoundly in that moment and how

the simplest act of being able to hug your brother once he was free meant everything

in the world.

BAW:When Kenny was alive, he couldnt wait to have this movie out there. He knewthat he left innocent people behind in prison, and he wanted to raise awareness about

that. Your work on this movie will help introduce so many people to the work of the

Innocence Project and the problem of wrongful convictions.

HS: I hope that we can shine a bright light on the very flawed criminal justice systemand help exonerate others who were wrongly convicted. Talking about it and reaching

out on the subject whenever possible is an honor.

I WAS DEEPLY TOUCHED BY

THE LOVE STORY AND GREAT

LENGTHS YOU WOULD GO TO

HELP YOUR BROTHER.

Hilary Swank


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14

KATHY GONZALEZ 1990 TO 2009 DEBRA SHELDEN 1989 TO 2009 ADA J. TAYLOR 1990 TO 2009 THOMAS WINSLOW 1990 TO 2009 JOSEPH FEARS JR. 1984 TO 2009 MIGUEL ROMAN 1990 TO 2009BURNETTE 1979 TO 2009 TIMOTHY COLE 1986 TO 2009 JOHNNIE LINDSEY 1983, 1985 TO 2009 CHAUNTE OTT 1996 TO 2009 LAWRENCE MCKINNEY 1978 TO 2009 ROBERT L. STINSON 1985 TO 2009 IRELAND 1988 TO 2009 JOSEPH ABBITT 1995 TO 2009 JAMES L. WOODARD 1981 TO 2009 JERRY L. EVANS 1987 TO 2009 MICHAEL MARSHALL 2008 TO 2009 JAMES BAIN 1974 TO 2009 DONAL

EXONERATION

NATIONSince the last newsletter, seven more innocent people have beenexonerated with DNA testing. The Innocence Project congratulatesthese inspiring individuals, as well as our colleagues who fought to prove their innocence.

CURTIS JASPER MOOREwho suffered from schizophrenia, allegedly incriminat

himself in the rape and murder of an 88-year-old Virginia woman. He was commit

to a state mental hospital in 1978 and released several years later when federal cou

vacated his conviction on appeal. Although Moore was released, he wasnt proven

innocent until this year when DNA tests exonerated him and linked another man

Thomas Pope, Jr., to the crime. Pope has since been convicted. Moore died fouryears ago and never lived to see his name cleared.

DOUGLAS PACYONwas paroled after six years of wrongful incarceration, but he

would wait another two decades to officially clear his name. Pacyon was accused of

ABOVE, TOP TO BOTTOM: DOUGLAS PACYON AND

LARRY DAVIS.

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: ALAN NORTHROP,

ANTHONY JOHNSON, MAURICE PATTERSON AND

MICHAEL ANTHONY GREEN.


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EXONERATION NATION

1982 TO 2009 FREDDIE PEACOCK 1976 TO 2010 TED BRADFORD 1996 TO 2010 ANTHONY CARAVELLA 1986 TO 2010 FRANK STERLING 1992 TO 2010 RAYMOND TOWLER 1981 TO 2010 CURTIS J. MOORETO 2010 DOUGLAS PACYON 1985 TO 2010 LARRY DAVIS 1993 TO 2010 ALAN NORTHROP 1993 TO 2010 ANTHONY JOHNSON 1986 TO 2010 MAURICE PATTERSON 2003 TO 2010 MICHAEL A. GREEN 192010

raping two women in Buffalo, New York, in 1984. He turned down a plea bargain for

a shorter sentence and was convicted of one of the rapes. DNA testing finally proved

his innocence and confirmed that the two crimes were committed by the same

unknown perpetrator. Pacyon was officially exonerated on June 21, 2010.

LARRY DAVIS andALAN NORTHROPwere wrongfully convicted of raping a

housekeeper in the La Center, Washington, home where she worked. The victim hadbeen blindfolded during the rape, but based on a fleeting glimpse of the perpetrators

she identified Davis and Northrop. Her misidentification was the central piece of

evidence in the case since DNA testing could not be conducted at the time. After

over 16 years of wrongful incarceration, Davis was paroled in early 2010. Both he and

Northrop were exonerated on July 14, 2010, when the Innocence Project Northwest

proved through DNA testing that neither man was involved in the 1993 crime.

In the fall of 1984, Angela Bonds was raped and stabbed to death in her New Orleans

home. Her boyfriend,ANTHONY JOHNSON, was wrongfully convicted of the crime

two years later based on an alleged confession and other circumstantial evidence.

The state withheld evidence that a convicted serial killer had boasted to officials thathe committed the murder. DNA testing of the victims fingernail scrapings eventually

implicated the serial killer, and Johnson was exonerated with the help of the Innocence

Project of New Orleans. Johnson was released in 2007 and fully exonerated on

September 15, 2010, after 22 years in prison.

MAURICE PATTERSON became the 260th person exonerated through DNA testing

on October 8, 2010. Patterson, of Chicago, was misidentified by witnesses to the

fatal stabbing of Robert Head in 2002. Patterson was exonerated when the Center

on Wrongful Convictions discovered DNA belonging to both the victim and another

man on a knife found at the crime scene. Patterson was excluded as a possible

perpetrator and released after seven years in prison. Although the knife was tested at

the time of the trial, prosecutors reported that the victims DNA was not present anderroneously asserted that the knife had not been used in the crime.

MICHAEL ANTHONY GREENwas released in July and officially exonerated with DNA

testing on October 20, 2010, after spending 27 years in prison for a Houston rape. Still

a teenager at the time of his wrongful conviction, Green was misidentified as one of

four perpetrators of a 1983 gang rape. In response to the crime, Houston police began

stopping black men in the area, and Green was detained. The victim did not identify

him then, but did a week later when she saw him again in a photo array and in a live

lineup. Green was the only person convicted of the crime.

3,337YEARS OF WRONGFUL INCARCERATION ENDURED BY ALL261 EXONEREES


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16

IP NEWSCONVICTION MOVIE GALVANIZES INNOCENCE PROJECT SUPPORTERS AND ADVOCATESThe Innocence Project Board of Directors and the Young Professionals Committerecently co-hosted a benefit at the French Institute in New York City to honorConviction, a Fox Searchlight film that tells the story of Betty Anne Waters figh

exonerate her brother, Innocence Project client Kenny Waters. Nearly 350 people

attended a screening and heard Betty Anne Waters speak along with Innocence P

Co-Director Barry Scheck, Conviction Director Tony Goldwyn, cast members Hi

Swank, Sam Rockwell and others. Innocence Project supporters raised over $85,00

the event. Supporters outside of the New York City area have also had an opportu

to meet Betty Anne Waters through special screenings nationwide that have featurWaters, the films stars, director and screenwriter.

In Washington DC, a screening of Conviction was followed by a Capitol Hill brea

reception the following morning. Hundreds of Innocence Project supporters, crim

justice professionals and policymakers attended the screening, which included a

question and answer session with Waters, Scheck, Goldwyn and Rockwell. At the

breakfast reception, Scheck and Waters spoke with policymakers, law enforcemen

officials and advocates about innocence issues and the importance of preventing

wrongful convictions.

INNOCENCE PROJECT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Three new Board Members have recently joined the Innocence Projects esteemedBoard of Directors. They are Laura Arnold, Co-Chair of the Laura and John Arno

Foundation, which invests in innovative strategies to address social justice issues ac

the country; Rossana Rosado, Publisher of El Diario La Prensa, the oldest Spanish

language daily in the United States; and Darrel Stephens, Executive Director of th

Major City Chiefs Association and an accomplished police executive with more tha

40 years of experience. The 16 members of the Board also include Board Chair,

Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis; Calvin Johnson, former Innocence Project clien

exonerated through DNA testing in 1999; and former Attorney General of the Un

States Janet Reno who has recently been named Director Emeritus. Former Attorn

General Reno is a founding director and has served on the Board for the past six

ONLINE DATABASE OF DNA EXONERATION CASES IS LAUNCHED

The Innocence Project and Winston & Strawn, a top international law firm, have

launched a searchable, online database of wrongful convictions later overturned

INNOCENCE PROJECT CO-DIRECTOR BARRY SCHECK AND

ACTOR HILARY SWANK ADDRESS AN AUDIENCE OF INNOCENCE

PROJECT SUPPORTERS AT A NEW YORK CITY BENEFIT IN

HONOR OF THE MOVIE CONVICTION.


17/20

IP NEWS

through DNA testing. The database, which is the most extensive research tool for

DNA exoneration cases ever available, includes public records, court documents,

case profiles and case abstracts for many of the 261 cases. The information is expected

to be an important resource for lawyers, legislators, law enforcement and others in

preventing future wrongful convictions. Hundreds of volunteers, attorneys, paralegals,

staff and students assisted with the creation of the database. Merrill Corporation,which provided essential document imaging and management services, and Microsoft

Corporation, which donated computer hardware and software, also made tremendous

contributions.

U.S. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS INNOCENCE CASES

This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Texas death row

inmate Hank Skinner and considered whether the prosecutor should be forced to

turn over evidence for post-conviction DNA testing according to federal civil rights law.

Skinner came within 40 minutes of his scheduled execution before the court decided

to hear his appeal in March. Critical DNA evidence is available and testing could be

done at no cost to the state. The Innocence Project does not represent Skinnerbut believes that DNA testing should always be done when it could prove guilt or

innocence. Innocence Project supporters helped raise awareness about the Skinner

case by sending letters to Gov. Rick Perry and advocating for a stay.

The court also recently heard arguments in the case of former death row inmate

John Thompson who was convicted of murder and armed robbery after prosecutors

failed to turn over blood evidence that could have exonerated him. The Innocence

Network, a consortium of groups doing innocence-related work, wrote an amicus brief

arguing that prosecutors should be held liable for the misconduct. Thompson sued

the New Orleans District Attorneys Office and was awarded $14 million by a jury $1

million for each year he spent on death row. The Supreme Court ruling could

determine whether or not he receives it.

DNA TESTING DISCREDITS FORENSIC EVIDENCE FROM TEXAS DEATH ROW CASE

A single hair found at the crime scene has long been used as evidence that Claude

Jones killed liquor store clerk Allen Hilzendager in 1989, yet DNA testing recently

proved that the hair did not belong to Jones. In 2000, Jones appealed to then-governor

George W. Bush for a 30-day stay in order to conduct DNA testing on the hair, but he

was denied. Documents now show that Bush was not informed about the possibility to

conduct DNA testing and was advised to deny the stay. The San Jacinto County District

Attorneys office refused to give the Innocence Project permission to do testing on the

evidence, until the Innocence Project, the Texas Observer, the Innocence Project of

Texas and the Texas Innocence Network brought a successful lawsuit to perform thetesting. The Innocence Project charges that if testing had been done prior to Jones

execution, he would have been spared.

JOHN THOMPSON.


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18

INNOCENCEBY THE NUMBERSPROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCTProsecutorial misconduct undoubtedly leads to wrongful convictions, but becaus

of the surreptitious nature of misconduct, its difficult to measure the scope of thproblem. (Examples include withholding evidence from the defense, deliberate

mishandling or destruction of evidence, coercion of false confessions, the use ofunreliable government informants or snitches, and more.) Therefore, the data b

is not comprehensive and includes only cases in which information is available. Tnumbers offer a glimpse of the frequency of prosecutorial misconduct and also rthe startling fact of how rarely prosecutors are held accountable for their actions

Number of the first 255 DNA exonerees to allege prosecutorial misconduct in thappeals or in a civil trial 63

Number of those 63 in which courts found error, whether harmful or harmless

Number of those 30 in which courts found harmful error that lead to a revers

of the conviction 13

Number of cases of prosecutorial misconduct identified from 1997-2009 in Califthrough a Northern California Innocence Project investigation 707*

Number of California prosecutors that were identified for repeated instances of

misconduct between the years 1997-2009 67

Number of those California cases from 1997-2009 in which prosecutors weredisciplined 6

Number of cases documented through a recent USA Today investigation in whicfederal prosecutors violated laws or ethics rules since 1997 201*

Number of cases identified by USA Today in which a federal prosecutor had bee

disbarred, even temporarily, in the past 12 years 1

*See Preventable Error: A Report on Prosecutorial Misconduct in California 1997-2009, by Kathleen M. RidolfiMaurice Possley

*See Prosecutors Conduct Can Tip Justice Scales USA TODAY, Sept. 23, 2010 by Brad Heath and Kevin Mc


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OUR STAFFOlga Akselrod: Staff Attorney, Angela Amel:Director of Social Worker and Associate Director of Operations/ Litigation

Department, Anna Arons, Paralegal, Corinne Audet:Finance and Human Resources Associate, Elena Aviles:DocumentManager, Rebecca Brown: Policy Advocate, Loretta Carty: Legal Assistant, Paul Cates: Director of Communications,Sarah Chu: Forensic Policy Associate, Scott Clugstone: Director of Finance and Administration, Craig Cooley: StaffAttorney, Valencia Craig: Case Management Database Administrator, Hensleigh Crowell: Paralegal, JamieCunningham: Policy Associate, Huy Dao: Case Director, Madeline deLone:Executive Director, Ana Marie Diaz: CaseAssistant, Nicholas Goodness: Case Analyst, Edwin Grimsley: Case Analyst, Caitlin Hanvey:Development Assistant,Nicole Leigh Harris: Policy Analyst, Barbara Hertel:Finance Associate, William D. Ingram: Case Assistant, Jeffrey

Johnson: Office Manager, Matt Kelley: Online Communications Manager, Jason Kreag: Staff Attorney, AudreyLevitin:Director of Development, David Loftis: Managing Attorney, Laura Ma: Assistant Director, Donor Services, AlbaMorales: Staff Attorney, Nina Morrison: Staff Attorney, Cristina Najarro: Paralegal, Peter Neufeld: Co-Director, Jung-Hee Oh: Administrative Associate, Legal Department, Charlie Piper: Special Assistant, Vanessa Potkin: Staff Attorney,Kristin Pulkkinen: Assistant Director of Development for Individual Giving, N. Anthony Richardson: Assistant and

Database Administrator, Richard Salatiello: Director of Institutional Giving, Stephen Saloom: Policy Director, Alana Salzberg: Communications Associate, Barry Scheck: Co-Director, Chester Soria: Communications Assistant,Maggie Taylor: Senior Case Analyst, Elizabeth Vaca: Assistant to the Directors, Marc Vega: Case Assistant, Elizabeth

Webster: Publications Manager, Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg: Case Analyst, Emily West: Research Director, KarenWolff: Social Worker

The Innocence Project was founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University to assist prisoners who could be

proven innocent through DNA testing. To date, 261 people in the United States have been

exonerated by DNA testing, including 17 who served time on death row. These people

served an average of 13 years in prison before exoneration and release. The InnocenceProjects full-time staff attorneys and Cardozo clinic students provided direct

representation or critical assistance in most of these cases. The Innocence Projects

groundbreaking use of DNA technology to free innocent people has provided irrefutable

proof that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events but instead arise from

systemic defects. Now an independent nonprofit organization closely affiliated with

Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the Innocence Projects mission is nothing

less than to free the staggering numbers of innocent people who remain incarcerated and

to bring substantive reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.


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